Simple techniques to introduce children to prayer

Mother Teresa said, "Transmit prayer to your family, pass it on to your children. Teach them prayer. Because a little one who prays is a happy child. A family that prays is a close-up family." Family prayer allows the spiritual growth of its members and the strengthening of their family ties. It is not enough to want to establish it in the home, it is necessary to know how to do it.
Parent-child prayer is easier than marital prayer, as children are generally willing to pray with their mom and dad. This prayer, however, presents some difficulties, including the risk of abstaining from prayer, falling into routine.

These things that must be taught to children
Before praying with your children, it is important to remember that it is not a question of "making david or Sandrine pray" but of really praying with them, and that the educational attitude is to support, suggest, help, while respecting the prayer of the Holy Spirit in children's hearts. The key will be to teach your children to gather, to listen (close their eyes, think of Jesus who is in their hearts) and then teach them to see their day again, say thank you for all that has been received eventually, ask forgiveness (watch out for suggestions easily substituted...).

One can use the catechism lesson of the week, repeat together a gospel verse, teach children to pray for their friends, parents, teachers, for the sick and elderly they have around them, for the great intentions of Church and the world.

Let the child take the initiative
The conclusion can be made by a prayer formulated, prayed slowly, a dozen rosary, some invocations to the saints and guardian angels. The overall structure of prayer may remain much the same, but care must be taken to renew the content.

From time to time, it is possible to have the prayer prepared by one or the other child, make room for singing (children love to sing), a dignified and expressive bodily attitude of standing or kneeling prayer, hands clasped or open, namely vary according to times and days, but require children to be serious and attentive. When children grow up, they must sometimes be invited to pray alone, so that they may become accustomed to responsible autonomy in their journey towards God.

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